Ailing Mugabe now unable to walk, says Zimbabwe president

Saturday November 24 2018

Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses media on July 29, 2018 during a surprise press conference at his residence "Blue Roof " in Harare, on the eve of the country's first election since he was ousted from office last year. PHOTO | JEKESAI NJIKIZANA | AFP

Zimbabwe's ex-leader Robert Mugabe is in Singapore for medical care and now unable to walk because of ill health and old age, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Saturday.

President Mnangagwa told his Zanu-PF party supporters at a rally that the 94-year-old Mugabe had been receiving medical care in Singapore for the past two months.

"He (Mugabe) is now old. Of course, he now is unable to walk but whatever he asks for we will provide," Mr Mnangagwa told hundreds of supporters in Mugabe's home area of Zvimba, about 100 km (60 miles) west of the capital Harare.

"We are looking after him. He is the founding father of the nation of Zimbabwe. He is our founding father of free Zimbabwe."

He said Mugabe was expected back in the country at the end of this month.

"He should have been back on October 25 but his health was not yet good," Mr Mnangagwa said.